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Experts predict that this strong real estate market will continue for a while. Unemployment is steadily declining and consumers are continuing to buy more, giving the real estate market the boost it needs to continue being successful. Take a look at these four real estate trends to watch. Rising Inventory There […]

Did you know that less than 20 percent of U.S. homeowners have 50 percent equity or more in their homes? After reviewing the terms of your mortgage, it may seem like it will take forever to pay it off. But paying off your mortgage early is not impossible. By making a few simple changes you […]

Calculating Your Debt-to-Income Ratio in 2 Easy Steps Have you ever sat down and calculated exactly how much money you spend each month on bills? If so, you are already halfway to calculating your DTI. In essence, your debt-to-income ratio is the amount of money you have left over after paying all your monthly expenses. […]

This is the month that everyone is headed somewhere — whether it’s the beach, the mountains, across country, across the globe — August is the #1 family vacation month. Many families across the nation will take to the roads this August to explore new states and parks. While driving through new territories can be fun, […]

What Affects Your Home’s Value Most? Sellers are looking to get the maximum amount for their home, and some have an inflated idea of what to expect when finding the value of their home. Do home renovations truly give you a big return on the investment? Take a look at these important factors that […]

The Latest Ways to Keep Your Home Secure Technology has truly changed the scope of home security in the past five years. Many of the most exciting advances in technology have come into the home security business. This technology has not only improved our ability to protect our homes, but has also integrated into […]

7 Closet Organization Hacks From the Pros Yes, there are a lot of professional closet organizers out there, but you shouldn’t need an expensive consultant to get the most out of whatever storage space you have. All you need is a free weekend to realize at least one of your New Year’s resolutions: a […]

What Your Homeowner’s Insurance Likely Won’t Cover Whether your home floods, is robbed, or has normal wear and tear, you expect your homeowner’s insurance to help cover the costs of repair, but your insurance does have limitations regarding what it covers. Take a look at these four things your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover so […]

Tax season is winding up, and some of us are still sorting out W2s, receipts and documents to determine all the tax deductions we may have, while others are sitting back and (hopefully) waiting for the refund checks. But either way, you should already be thinking about next year: taxes should be on your mind […]

Long before you settle on a mortgage lender, one of your interview questions should be, “Is there a prepayment penalty and if so, how much is it?” Unfortunately, too many homebuyers don’t understand what a prepayment penalty is, how it works, or even if they are paying it. Prepayment Penalty When you take […]